BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, April 5 (Xinhua) -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold a summit meeting on the ongoing developments in Myanmar, Bruneian and Malaysian leaders said here on Monday.
As the current chair country of ASEAN, Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah held bilateral talks with Muhyiddin Yassin, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, who is paying his first official visit to Brunei on April 4-5.
According to a joint statement on the 23rd Annual Leaders' Consultation, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Muhyiddin Yassin exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest during the bilateral meeting and expressed serious concern on the ongoing crisis in Myanmar and the rising number of fatalities.
They urged all parties to refrain from instigating further violence, and for all sides to immediately exercise utmost restraint and flexibility. The leaders called on all parties concerned to seek a peaceful solution and pursue constructive dialogue, reconciliation and quickly return to normalcy in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar and for the greater peace, security and stability of the region.
The leaders also recalled the purposes and principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, and emphasized that it remains in ASEAN's greater interest to see Myanmar resolve the crisis and regain stability.
The leaders reaffirmed ASEAN's readiness to assist Myanmar, including through the good offices of the Chairman of ASEAN and the Secretary-General of ASEAN in a positive, peaceful and constructive manner.
In this regard, both leaders agreed for ASEAN leaders to meet to discuss the ongoing developments in Myanmar and tasked their respective ministers and senior officials to undertake necessary preparations for the meeting, which will be held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. Enditem
